Method of and apparatus for forming and applying appendages to ware in the manufacture of pottery



6&3. 29, E931. w j MILLER 1,838,277 METHOD-0F AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPENDAGES To WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OFYPOTTERY Filed March 30, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. maid/111M110:

ATYZORNLLIY Dec. 29,

1 w. J. MILLER 1,338,277

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPENDAGES ERY 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 T0 WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTT Filed March 30, 1928 INVENTOR. William J Miller ATTORNEY Dec. 29,

ETI'IOD OF AND APPARATUS FO TO WARE INJIHE M W. J. MILLER R FORMING AND APPLYING APFENDAGES ANUFACTURE 0F POTTERY Filed March 30, 1 928 9 Sheets-Sheet" rf n n rfiw 41% @L w m I l. I 1 I I 1 t E Q w 97) w 3? 4 ama A TTORNEY w. J. MILLER 1,838 D APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPENDAGES TO WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY METHOD OF AN Filed March 50, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 4 meat. 29, 1931. w MlLLER 1,838,277

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPENDAGES T0 WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Filed M31131] 30, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V ENTOR. Willa/n J/E [Zler ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1931. v w. J. MILLER 1,838,277

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPENDAGES TO WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Filed March so, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet e IN VEN TOR. Fl/jam J/filler ATTORNEY 1 ,838,277 NDAGES 'Dec. 29, 1931.

w. .1. MILLER 7 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING APPE T0 WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Filed March 30, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec. 29,1931.

w 8 w t 9 6 86 h :A 4 1D 5 N E t. P. e m AN m IT m? 3 F No NE RAm EGT LNG LIA IMW Mmu R O .wF S. UN TI ME mm W 0 DT N Av F O D 0 H T E M Filed March 30, 1928 INVENTOR. MZll'a/n J [Villm ATTORNEY AGES w. J. MHLLER mes. 29 1931i.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND APPLYING AFPEND TO WARE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY Filed March 30, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR v William [{Vz'ZZer BY (7 7 A TTORNEY her-gin d. MILLER, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVAHLEL HETHGW @Zi .dllD APPARATUS FOR FOBMWG AND APPLYIN G APEHDAGES IO WARE THE MANUFACTURE OE EGTTERY Application filed March 30, 1828. Serial No. 268,029.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for forming and applying apendages such as handles, spouts, decorative figures and the like to were in the maufacture of pottery.

The principal object of the invention is to rovide means whereby appendages such as handles, spouts, or any desired embellishment or decorative figure may be automatically formed or cast and applied to pottery were.

Generally stated, but subject to variation within the scope of the invention, the method consists in charging a mold, for instance a handle or figure mold,which may be of the partihle type in instances Where required,with clay in a fluid or semi-fluid state, and then placing the were in or on the mold against the handle or figure, the were remaining in or on the mold until the clay sets, the mold being subsequently parted if of the partible type and the ware with the handle or figure attached thereto removed from said mold and, if preferred, boxed,

' apparatus being provided which enables the several operations to be performed automatically, the ware preferably being handled or figured or embellished while in a leatherhard condition and while being conveyed through a drier.

Among the advantages which result from the foregoing method is that the general appearance and condition of the were is improved, due to the fact that the were and handle or figure may be joined when the handle or figure is in such a plastic state as will eliminate crevices at the lines of jointure and ensure a more firm securement of the handle or figure relatively to the ware, and also inview of fact that the handle or other desired appendage may be applied in alinement relatively to each article of ware, thus ensuring uniformity of attachment and which cannot be obtained by methods as commonly practiced so far as known.

Another advantage is that decorative figures, rings and other embellishments may he formed or cast on jiggered as well as cast were.

When casting ware having handles, spouts,

the mold with the plastic ma pear during the description of my novel decorative figures and like utility and orna-' mental surface irregularities as commonly practiced, the slip solidifies or sets to an equal thickness a ainst all portions of the walls of the mol so that when the excess to slip is poured from the mold, cavities are formed or result at the thickened portions of the walls of the ware or where the handle, spout or figure is cast integral with the ware, and these cavities are generally patched up or filled manually with 'stifi'er cla than the casting slip, which requires skille labor and involves expense and oftt'nnes results in were lacking in uniformity. A further advantage of the present method isthat by first casting the handles, spouts, decorative figure or the like and subsequently applying or joining the were thereto, such cavities as just specified are eliminated and a uniform grade of were produced.

Among the other objects of the invention are to provide improved means for charging terial; to provide improved casting means fto rovide means for manufacturing the appen agesto be applied to the ware; to provide means for boxing the were; to provide improved molds; and to provide means for drying the ware during manufacture. Other objects will approcess and apparatus and will be more clearly set forth in the claims.

The apparatus by which" the improved method may be practiced also includes numerous advantageous features, among which may be mentioned the provision for adjustment both while the mechanism is in operation and at rest, so that the various operations may be readil timed and synchronized and the charges 0 clay measured without cessation of operation;

With the foregoing and numerous other important objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

1 In the drawings Figure 1 is a view, principally in side elevation, of a structure which may be adopted in carrying out the method hereinafter de scribed, said structure being applied in operative relation to a drier and the side wall of the latter shown removed to disclose the interior of the drier;

Figs. 1 and 1" are enlarged views in section and side elevation taken substantially on the lines IL -1 and l"-1", respectively, Fig. 2, onlythe upper portion of the lower drier being shown;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged ragmentary detail view in section and side elevation of an adjustment structure;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view the line 3-3 Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in side elevation of a preferred construction for mounting the cams;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of a modification in structure relatively to Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a view Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a view principally in side elevation of a modification'in structure;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken on the line 66, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation stantially on the line 7--7, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlargedfragmentar view, partly in section, of a preferre bly embodied in Fig. 7

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, taken substantially on the line 8-8, Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 of a type of assembly which may be embodied in Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail transverse vertical sectional view of one type of ware transfer chuck or grip head;

Fig. 10 is a detail transverse vertical sectional view of a preferred form of registering device for applying super and/or sub-atmosphere to the casting molds or forms, a tray and a plurality of molds also being shown in section and side elevation;

Fig. ii. is an enlarged detail transverse vertical sectional view through a preferred form of handle and/ or figure casting and applying mold i Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of an assemb;

Fig. 12 is a view taken on the line l2-l2 Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail view in transverse vertical section of a modified type of mold relatively to that illustrated in Figs. 11 and, 12;

Fig. i l is a view taken on the line fi h-l4, Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is view similar to Fig. 12 showing the mold adapted for a multiple of articles oi ware;

taken on taken on the line P -4 taken subdetail assemneeaavv Fig. 16 is a plan view of a mold adapted for a decorative figure;

Fig. 17 is a view in transverse vertical section of Fig. 16, showing an article of ware disposed on the mold;

Fi 18 is a detail transverse vertical sectional view "of a mold adapted for casting spouts, hollow handles and the like;

Fig. 19 is a detail fragmentary view in section and side elevation of a modified structure for applying casting clay or slip to the molds;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a preferred adaptation of the invention to an annular or table conveyor for semi-automatic operation;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail plan view of one of the casting molds adapted ,for the conveyor of Fig. 20;

Fig' 22 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of a clutch structure which may be embodied in Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a detail view in section and side elevation of a preferred type of valve structure and actuating cams;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary view in elevation of part of Fig. 23;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged detail view in transverse vertical section of a nozzle member;

Figs. 25 and 25 are detail plan and edge views, respectively, of a jig for use in the manual application of handles to ware;

Figs. 26 and 26 are detail views respectively in elevation and top plan of a further form of jig adapted for manual application of handles; and

Fig. 27 illustrates in diagrammatic side elevation a method of hanging the mold-carrying trays.

The clay used in charging the molds as hereinafter described may be of varying degrees of plasticity or fluidity, as in some instances the clay which may be found most suitable may be the usual mixture of clay slip while in other instances a relatively stifi mixture may he found more suitable, depending upon existing conditions and the character of the appendage to be applied or united to the ware. it may also be found desirable to include in the clay mixture a shrinkagecontrolling agent with a view toward equalising the relative shrinkage of the two bodies.

in order to gain a clear understanding of the were manipulating structure which is preferably adopted in the present invention, reference is made to my copending application Serial No. 203,186, iiled July 2, 1927,

means for transferring ware in the manufacture of pottery. Reference is also made to my copending application Serial No. 202,629, filed June 30, 1927 for con -reying mechanism. The numeral 5 generally designates a drier having therein flexible conveyor generally the conveyor shown being of indicated at 6 the loop type to conserve space but it will he understood that the drier may he of the see er? type and the conveyor oil the streicht line type, the invention sein edapied tor eny desired construction of drier end con= veyor, as will be apparent in view of the sub sequent description. The conveyor 6 prererebly comprises e pair oi flexible chain members 6 made up of links, a number oi which ere shown for the purposes of illustrstion in side elevation at the lower portion of l, the chains being passed over and under sprockets 77 mounted on transverse shafts "i which may have bearing in the sides of the drier or a suitable ireme provided therefor. Mold-carriers or trays 8, illustreted in plan view in Fig. 2, are mounted trensversely of the conveyor chains 6 seid treys being provided with bearing trunnions 8- by means of which the trays are swingebly Sill mounted in the chains 6, preferably above their centers of gravity-or as shown in Fig. 27 so that they will always assume a horizon tel position regardless of the direction of travel of the conveyor.

At the lower portion of Fig. l the conveyor is shown as extending beyond opposite ends of the drier, to indicate that the molds may be fed with clay a d the latter formed into ware and other opeiletions performed on the were prior to entering the drier or after leaving the drier, these operations being either menuol or sutomatic, and alter the handle or decorative or other figure has been applied to the were preferably While in what is termed in the pottery art as a leatherhard condition, the were may be subjected to other desired operations, which may take place either inside'o'r outside of the. drier, as for example rh'e were may be turned prior to applying the handles or other figures thereto, and in the event'it is desired to turn the were automatically as by the structure disclosed in m copending eppliceftion Serial No. 215,615, led Aug. 26, 192?, which has become Patent 1,751,049, this turning structore mey be mounted at any convenient point on the drier so as to operate on the were preferably prior to being subjected to the handle or other figure applying: operation with which the present invention is concerned, and to enablethe were to be removed from and/or replaced in the drier along verious portions of the latter, cover plates 9 may be provided as illustrated in Fig. l.

lln the application of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1, l and 1' and 2, e supplementel treating or drying compartment is adjustably mounted on the main drier 5 as by angle braces 5 and. screw bolts 5, so that this compartment 5 may be shifted along the drier and secured in any desired ,osition as will prove most advantageous. lhis supplemental treating or drying compartment 5 is provided with a conveyor 6 which may be substantially similar .to the lower conveyor 6, and it is preferred to drive end which also serves the I of the shafts i", send Geneva being intermittently actuated by c motion plots or cam ll, also edjustably secured es in Fig. on a counter shaft 32, it is preferred to mount the gear 10 and corn ll sinner as indicated in Fig. end which i subsequently be described, to provide for edjustment while in operation and while the driving connection subsists,

In order to save power that would otherwise be required in accelerating and retard ing a comparatively large and oittimes heevy conveyor, it is preferred to drive the conveyor as a whole continuously while at the same time halting sections thereof to perform a desired operation relatively to the were in or on the molds without halting the complete conveyor, and this method of driving a conveyor may be more readily understood by referringv to my copending application Serial No. 202,629, heretofore noted. To adapt the present conveyor to this form of drive, the motion plate shaft 12 is connected with one of the lower shafts 7* as by a flexible member or sprocket chain 13, and as the motion plate is preferably continuously driven, the shaft and sprocket connected thereto will also be continuously driven; Then if it should be desired to temporarily halt the trays in a portion or section of the conveyor Without halting the complete conveyor, a motion-transmitting or sectionisolating sprocket 14, illustrated at the lower portion of Fig. 1, may be interposed between the driven sprocket and its adjacent sprocket or sprockets, end the intermittently driven Geneva gear shaft connected with the shaft 7 having thereon the sprocket which controls that portion of the conveyor moving between these connected sprockets, this connection or flexible member or chain being indicated at 15. The sections of the conveyor chain which are passed over the sprockets primarily driven from the shaft on which the. Geneva gear is secured are preferably provided with a predetermined degree of slack, and when the said Geneva gear stops, the links on one side of these sprockets will gradually collapse as the slack accumulates, While on the other side of said sprockets the links will gradually straighten as the A tray in lower drier,

First considering the structure which is preferably adapted for applying the casting slip to the molds or forms provided for this purpose and transferring the ware from the lower drier to these molds or forms in the upper drier and which structure is shown in enlarged sectional side elevation in Fig. 1. the numeral 16 generally designates a main stationary supporting frame which is preferably secured to the side wall of the compartment 5 as by screw bolts 16, this main frame including a platform or cross brace structure 18", see Fig. 5, not visible in side view, to which guide members or posts 17 are preferably adjustably secured as by nuts 17 the upper extremities'of said posts being threaded and extending through enlarged openings in said cross brace structure to provide for this adjustable securement. These guide posts 17 are adapted to guide and support a supplemental frame unit, generally indicated at 18, the lower ends of said posts being formed with stop heads 19 which in some instances support the frame 18 when in its lowermost position and act as a stop for said frame. The lower portion of the frame 18 is formed with a transverse dove-tail groove, indicated in dotted lines at 20, a bar 21 being mounted to slide horizontally in said groove, said bar being formed with a bracket portion at one extremity for insertion ofan adjusting screw 22. A lever 23 is pivoted at its lower extremity to the bar 21 and at its upper extremity adjustably pivoted as at 24 to the supplemental frame 18, adjustment of this pivotal connection being permitted while in operation and while the driving connection subsists preferably through the medium of the sliding block structure illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 3.

This adjustment assembly preferably comprises a pivot or journal block 24, which is journaled in a longitudinally slotted portion of the lever or member to be pivoted or fullcrumed, indicated at L, and bored and thread.- ed for insertion of adjusting and retaining screw 24%", said block 2% being also mount ed to shift or slide through adjustment of screw 2 in a longitudinally slotted portion of a block or analogous member 24:, the journal or bearing portion of block 24 being headed the side walls of the ion itudinally slotted portion of the lever L orm-ed with a retaining track or groove for said head, Block 24? is adjustably secured to the frame or casting 5 of the assembly as by screw bolts 24% and 24 and positioning pin 24:, the frame or casting being arcuately slotted as at 2% where the bolt 2& extends therethrough and a plurality of positioningholes 2et provided in the frame for pin 24*. By loosening bolts 24 and 24, pin 24 may be adjusted in any of said holes to definitely locate or spot the angular position of block 24 relatively to the frame of the assembly and lever L, while screw bolt 24 may be adjusted in slot 24 to accomplish the same result independent of pin 24 and intermediate of holes 2t Adjusting screw 24* is journaled in said block 24 and provided with thrust or bearing collars or set nuts 24 and adjusting crank or handle 2& It will be seeen that by turning screw 24", journal block 24* may be shifted in the guideway provided therefor and thus shift the pivotal or fulcrum point of lever L and vary the throw of said. lever or the extent of reciprocation thereof from a stationary point and while in operation and while the driving connection subsists. By adjusting the angle of block 24 and/or shifting the block 24, various advantageous results may be obtained. For instance, the extent of reciprocation of lever L may be varied without varying the lowermost point of reciprocation, or the extent of reciprocation may be varied without varying the uppermost point of re ciprocation, or the intermediate point of reclprocatlon may be maintained constant while at the same time varying the extent of reciprocation, or the lowermost point of reciprocation may be varied to a greater or less extent than the uppermost point of reciprocation and vice versa, or the altitude of recipro cation varied.

The foregoing assembly as a whole may in turn be adjustably supported by a turn-buckle or analogous member 24?, which may also be adjusted to raise and lower the pivotal or fullcrum point of level L, and to provide for both vertical and lateral adjustment independent of the turnbuckle the assembly frame is formed with a slot 22- and the bracket or other member to which said frame is to be secured is formed with slots 24 at right angles to slots 2%. Securing or fastening bolts 24 are passed through these slots and secured. By loosening said bolts 2%, the assembly as a Whole may be adjusted both vertically and laterally T his method of adjustably supporting assembly is preferably adopted wh-ei ver practicable. However in some instances this adjustable mounting is illustrated in modified form to conserve space, but it will be understood that in practice, it is preferred to opt the structure substantially as above described.

Wherever a lever or analogous part scribed as being 'ad ustably pivoted or d a pt 4 Q Gad a .34 crume as in igs. u an a it is meant mat 26, adjustable through the medium of a screw 27, the bar 25 being adjustably maintained under longitudinal pressure by said-screw and spring. A suitable cam-contacting member or bracket 28 is secured to the bar 25, and to connect the bracket 28 and lever 23 in readily adjustable association, a turnbuckle 29 is pivotally secured to said bracket and lever, a plurality of securing holes being provided in the bracket 28 and lever 23, so

that the turn-buckle may be adjustably mounted thereon and adjusted at varying elevations to adjust the throw of the lever 23..

Pivotally mounted on the lower laterally sliding bar 21 is a chuck or grip-head stem or analogous member 30 carrying a ware pickup member or chuck or grip head 31, a number of different forms of which are shown in section in Figs. 7 9 and 14. To gain a clear.

understanding of the construction of these" ware transfer chucks, reference is made to my copending application Serial No. 203,186,

above noted. Briefly, the grip head shown for example in Fig. 14 comprises a body member 31 of any suitable material having formed therein a longitudinal bore 31 with diverging branches 31 and 31. In this instance the chuck is adapted for the application thereto of super and/or sub atmosphere through the bore 31 which is shown as branching off at right angles and leading to the exterior of the chuck and having a nipple connected thereto for application of a suitable hose or other flexible tubing 32, the latter leading to a valve generally indicated at 32 and an example of which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 23, saidvalve being adapted to be supported from the frame 16 or any other convenient structure as by the threaded stem or bolt 32 and securing and set nuts 32". Any desired number of these valves may be employed and serve to regulate and control the application of super and/or sub-atmosphere to the points where required. By referring to Fig. 23 it will be noted that the valve 32 has attached thereto three flexible connecting members, as at 32, 32 and 32, the member 32 leading tothe ip head or chuck as just specified, the mem r 32 leading to a source of application of air under pressure or super atmosphere or may lead simply to the atmosphere, and the member 32 leading to a source of sub-atmosphere or suction or vacuum pump. The valve 32 is.

also provided with a plunger 33, formed with ports 32 and 32. It is preferred to actuate plunger 33 as particularly illustrated in Fig. 23, to provide for selective regulation of the dwell or length of time of application of super and/or sub-atmospheric pressure, and with this end in view, cams 33*, 33", 33 and 33 are independently and adjustably secured on shaft 34 preferably as in Figs. 4 and 4 and which structure will be hereinafter described. The plunger 33 is extended to provide a supporting bracket for cam-contact members or pins 33 and 33 shown projecting at right angles from said plunger. Ordinarly frictional contact serves to maintain the plunger in shifted position, but to balance the weight of said plunger and ensure its remainin in shifted position, a spring 33 is attache at opposite extremities respectively to the lower portion of the bracket provided by the plunger and the valve casing. As each cam is so mounted as to permit adjustment thereof While in operation as will resently be described, the. lunger 33 may be given varying dwell perio s, to thus vary the dwell of application' of super and/or sub-atmospheric pressure andiwhich is of material advantage in the operationof the apparatus.

' The shaft34i is supported by and has bearing in opposite sides of the main frame 16 and may be' o'fisuch' transverse extent as to accommodate, any' number of supplemental frame units; and cooperating structures, as will be'apparent from Fig. 2. To impart lateral sliding movement to the bars 21 and. 25, a cam 35 is adjustabl secured as in Fig. 4 or 4 and 4 on the sha adapted to contact with the bracket 28 secured. on the upper bar and which is under spring tension as heretofore specified, and to impart vertical movement to the supplemental frame 18 and consequently to the bar 21 and devices attached thereto, a further cam 36 is adjustably secured as in Fig. 4 or Figs.

44 on the shaft 34, said cam being adapted to contactwith a roller 37 rotatably mounted on a lever 37, said lever being adjustably pivoted at one extremity as at 37 b through the medium of the sliding block structure heretofore specified to a stationary bracket 38, which is secured to the platform or cross brace structure 16 as at 38, and at its opposite extremity said lever 37 is pivotally and adjustably connected to the frame 18 through the medium of a bracket bolt 39 passed through a lug or ear 40 forming part of the said frame 18, securing and adjusting nuts 39 bein threaded'on said bolt 39 on o posite sides of said lug 40. A stud 41 is ad justably secured in the lower portion of the frame 18, said stud being adapted to contact 34, said cam being with a cam or tapered portion of the chuck stem 30 above the pivot oint of the latter, so

that when the bar 21 s ides laterally to the right in frame 18, the chuck or grip head will first swing upwardly in an arc and then move more or less horizontally, depending upon the sha of the cam portion of the stem, and on t e reverse sliding movement of said bar 21, said head will again travel more or less horizontally and lower in an are back to its original position. An adjusting and definitel hmiting screw 21 is mounted in a suitable bracket on the bar 21 said screw being adapted to contact with the stem and spot and limit the movement of the chuc 31 when swinging back to vertical change in the phase of motion 0 are in operation an position.

The cam-adjustment and mounting structure illustrated in Figs. 4and 4 and 4" is preferably adopted with a view to permitting the parts primarily actuated by the cams to which said structure may be a plied while said parts while thedriving connection sub'sists. To illustrate, the cam is shown applied to a shaft S which is formed with an annular threaded groove 34, see Fig. 3, and the hub 34 of. the cam is formed with a bracket ortion 34, which is bored to form a bearing ousing for an adjustin and I set screw 34", the latter being formed with or having secured thereon a gear orgear head 34'bghe one extremity of the screw housing or r e being enlarged to receive said gear and internally threaded. to receive an externally threaded retaining plug or nut 34. The hub and cam are provided with a guide bore or slot extending at ri ht angles to the screw 34, said bore or slot being adapted to receive a rack 34, in mesh with gear 34, said ratchetbeing suitably secured at one extremity to a collar 34 rovided with an annular groove 34 the col ar 34 having a sliding fit on shaft An adjusting screw 34 may be .mounted in a suitable stationary supporting bracket or supported from any other adjacent stationary'part of the frame of the machine, the one extremity of said screw being provided with a lug or analogous member 34", adapted to ride in the groove 34 of collar 34". The threads of groove-34 and screw 34 I are preferably of the irreversible or singlethread type, to revent angular displacement of the cam ue to work imposed there-' on. It will be readily understood that'b adjusting screw. 34, the ratchet 34 in mes with ear 34 will cause screw 34 to turn anda bore for this purpose, said bore terminat-.

ing in an enlarged slot or recess 34. 9 The gear 34' in this instance is provided with teeth or pins which project radially beyond the side walls of the cam. In assembling, the screw 34 may be inserted in the bore and the gear 34' in the slot 34' and the said bolt threaded into said gear and secured as by a countersunk screw 34'. An adjusting segment 34, more clearly shown 1n Fig. 23, formed on one extremity of an adjusting rocking lever 34 is used as a contact member for ad usting purposes, the lever as herein shown bein mounted on a bracket shaft 34" formed wit a longitudinal groove 34, a screw 34 being threaded through the lever 34 and pro'ectmg into said groove, said lever 34 being t us limited in its rocking movement by the screw 34 contacting with the side walls of groove 34". The handle portion of the lever 34 is preferably of heavier to normally maintain the segment out of range-of the rejections on the gear 34' or the radial patli of said ear. To adjust the cam, the lever may simp y be rocked lnwardto bring the segment within the radius of l the pins or projections on gear 34' as the.

transmitting'member is descn d as bein 'ad'ustably secured'as in Figs. 4 or 4" an 4" it is meant that the cam or analogous member under consideration is preferably mounted as above described. a

By referring to my copending a plication Serial No. 203,186 above specifie the operation of the ware pick-up and transfer assembly just described may be readily understood and from which it will be ap arent that the transfer chuck may be spotte rela tively to the ware in or on the molds while the machine is in operation and caused to move in a predetermined path between a point of pick-up and a point of de osit.

A charger or charge-applying an measuring device generally indicated at 42 and preferably of the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 19 is supported from the main stationary frame as by a supporting bracket 43 and construction than the segmental portion, so as screw bolts 43', the lower extremity of said bracket being adapted to support an externally threaded sleeve 44 by means of upper and lower adjusting and securing nuts 45, said sleeve being threadedin'to the char er casing 42" which is internally threade at the upper portion thereof, said casing prefer ably being provided with valve-controlled ports 46, 47 and 48, the port 46 havin connected thereto a suitableconduit mem r or as the tank '1 'Fig..19, of clay slip orclay of hose 46' leading to a source of supply such connected thereto a similar conduit member or hose 4'2"whiclrin Figs. 1 and 1" leads to ports 46, 4:7 and 48 are preferably controlled the fulcrum point nssaavr the handle orfigure casting and applying mold hereinafter described, and the port 48 being provided with a conduit member 48 which may lead to a place of deposit of excess slip and/or any slip or clay that may leak past the plunger of the charger. In Fig. 19 the hose 48 is shown leading to the upper portion of thetank T, to indicate that the excess slip may be returned to the source of supply. A. further port l9 may be formed in the casing, and this port may have a flexible conduit member 49 attached thereto leading to a nozzle member which will hereinafter be described or said port may remain closed, as will presently be apparent. The

by check valves which may be of the ball and spring typeshown. A plunger or piston 50 having a stem 50 slida-bly mounted in the sleeve 44: is provided, said stem preferably extending upwardly through openings in the bracket and frame 16 of themachine and which may serve in some instances to steady the plunger stem while in operation. The piston head may be provided with the usual packing to prevent leakage, and the sleeve 44 may also be provided with packing or a gland for packing to prevent leakage past the stem of the piston. A plug 49 is inserted in the casing a suitable distance below the port 49, to provide for interchangeability of the posi tion of said port.

To actuate the plunger or piston 50, a lever 51 is adjustably fulcrumed at one extremity as at 51 in a screw bracket 52 extending through a lug or ear 52 and adjustably secured as by adjusting and securing nuts 52",

0 said lever being shiftable while in operation and while the driving connection subsists as in Fi 3 and-3, to thereby vary the throw of said lever and measure the stroke of said plunger while the mechanism is in operation. A cam 53 is adjustably secured on the shaft 34 as in Fig. 4, said cam being adapted to contact with a roller 54', rotatably mounted on the lever 51, the said lever extending across and being formed with a forked extremity 51 see Fig. 2, which serves as a pivot yoke for pivotally connecting said bar to a pivot block 55, ad-

justably secured on the plunger stem 50 as by adjusting and securing screws 55 and to maintain the. cam roller 54 of lever 51 in contact with the cam 53 and also to apply rcgulable pressure and variable travel to the piston 50, a compression spring 56 is applied over the stem 50 and adjustably maintained in position as by. a collar 56 and screw 56*, said spring being compressed between the upper part of the bracket 43 and said collar upon the upward stroke of the piston 50. To adjust the lowermost point of reciprocation of the piston 50 without varying the uppermost point of reciprocation thereof, 2.

- collar 57 is adjustably secured as by screw correspondingly cle of ware than another, and to provide for this contingency, a reduction gear such as at Geneva wheel or gear 53*, see Fig. 1%, is

secured on a counter or stub shaft 53 mount- 1 ed adjacent cam 53, and a motion plate 533 is adjustably secured as in Fi or 43* and 4 on the shaft 34 and adapts to intermit tently actuate the Geneva gear 53. Charge measuring members shown in the form of ad- .justable contact screws 53 are adjustably secured in spaced relation around the periphery of a disk or wheel 53 and which may form part of the Geneva gear 53",-these members 53 preferably corresponding in number to the slots in the Geneva gear which in the present instance are shown as four in number for the purposes of illustration. A further contact member or screw 53 is adjustabl secured in a bracket 53 on the lever 51, sai screw 53* being adapted to contact with the screws 53 at each intermittent partial revolution of the Geneva gear 53*. By adjusting contact members 53 at varying distances relatively to the screw or member 53, the stroke of the charger plunger 50 may be varied independent of the cam 53, and iy adjusting contact screw 53* independent 0 screws 53, the complete cycle of strokes may be varied without varying each individual stroke. Also, the motion plate and/0r Geneva gear may be disconnected and the screw 53* adjusted relatively to any of screws 53, to limit the lowermost stroke of plunger 50 independently of the cam 53 or collar 57.

The reference numeral 58 generally designates a tray-spotting and stabilizin member, a number of which are provided tdroughout the apparatus, said members as herein shown being fioatingly mounted on and supported by a headed post 58, bolted or otherwise secured to the supplemental verticall slidable frame 18, the spotting member 58 eing applied over the head of said post and a retaining ring 58 then secured thereon as by screws or similar fastenings, and to prevent angular or rotative movement of the member 58 on said post, the latter may be squared or a spline provided therein, as at'58. The

. lower extremity of the post 58* is bored longitudinally to provide a seat for a spring 58 which may be inserted rior to mounting the member 58, said spring functioning to apply additional resilient pressure and ensure operation oil said member. The upper portion of the ost is formed in two sections and connected y an adjusting coupling 58, thus roviding vertical adjustment independent o the frame 18. The tray-contacting portion of the member 58 may be given any desired shape as will best adapt said member to serve its function and in accordance with the size and shape of the tray.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate one type of handle-applying.or casting form or mold which, for the purposes of illustration, is shown in connection with the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 1", generally indicated at A, this form or mold being disposed on a particular type of tray, a preferred construction of which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 10 and generally indicated at B. The mold comprises atwopart body member, said parts being indicated at 59 and 59 and adapted to separate at the joint indicated at 59", these parts being slidable on a piston (30 and supported by and having a limited sliding movement in a frame (ll provided with a detachable cover 61 formed with a ware-positioning seat or cavity and which is preferably faced with felt or some similar substance, compensate for shrinkage and prevent marring of the ware when deposited therein. The bottom portion of frame 61 is formed with a chuck-contacting projection 63 which is shaped to center the mold on the chucks and adapted seat in recessed portion of the tray A retracting spring 62 is inser ed the piston and adjustably secured at opposite ends to the pa-rtible body members 59 and asat 62, and at an inter mediate point said body members are respectively recessed or cut away to provide a seat for a. steadying and guide member or block 63, see 11, which serves to spot or position the meeting point or joint of the body members when closed or in contact, said member being formed with an internally threaded opening and the piston 60 with an intermediate extern y threaded portion, as .63, so that in as. cnzbli-ng the guide block may be adjustably threaded on said piston. The piston 60 is formed with ports at an intermediate point, as at 60, and the guide block 63 is longitudinally bored, as at 60",

said here registering with a bore in the frame i Wing a suitable flexible conduit member oi on nected thereto. The piston 60 is preular displacement by a screw er screw 63 serves to secure loch to the frame 61. The mold ly scribed may be formed of able material, preferably non-corrod in between the separable members 59 or in the abutting surface port ons said abers are cut away or repr ride a retaining recess for a supl mold a, preferably of absorbent nob as plaster, and which in the instance is shaped for a handle, said g recess being of any suitable size and bly dove-tailed, to retain the sections absorbent mold a in place and faciliremoval and replacement. These molds a may be cast to any desired interior shape or figure and for the usual size of handle or decorative figure, may be standardized as regards their exterior shape or outer surface contour. Provision is made for introducing sub or super-atmosphere to the mold a, in the form of passages 64 and 65, regulable or adjustably controlled as by screw plugs 64* and 65*, the passages 64 opening out over an extended surface area to provide chambers 64 and the passages 65 terminating in the absorbent mold a and communicating with the clay-contacting surface thereof preferably through grooves or vents 65", the said passages 65 and vents 65 in the form of mold illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 being formed by grooving the abutting surface portions of the mold a, the passages 65 communicating with one of the ports 60 through a. bore formed in the guide block 63. To spot or angularly position the mold A on the tray, the frame 61 is formed with a hole or bore and a p n 86 adjustably,threaded or otherwise se= cured in the t 'ay B, said pin being adapted to register with the hole or bore when the mold is lowered onto the tray and thus center and position the mold on said tray. The bottom chuck-contactlagprojection6i. is formed withopenings or cut-out portions 66, st any chips or clay particles which might otherwise have a tendency to accumulate between the .mold sections may discharged or all through the bottom of the mold.

Fig. 15 illustrates the mold A adapted for a plurality of pieces oi ware, this slight modification being obvious from the drawings.

Figs. 16 and l? illustrate the mold A formed in one piece adapted for a decorative figure or design. The operation of joining the design to the ware is substantially similar to the handle-applying operation.

Fig. 10 illustrates a number of molds A disposed in position on tray B, the latter preferably being swingably mounted in the conveyor chains 6 through the medium of projecting trunnions b, which may be formed as part of" the tray, the said trunnions being longitudinally bored, as at 6?. Attached the wall of the r or on any other suitable support or part the frame oi the machine along the line 0; travel of the trays and adjacent the po s of transfer or removal and other opera" r where it is desired to apply super *2 sub-atmosphere to the molds A, a tray-r device or assembly generally i said assembly pre c 68 is illustrated, comprising a housing or frame 68 r o herwise suitably secured to the war. o present instance, a spring 6 adapted se t in the housing, a longitudinally bored spotting member or piston 68having a sliding fit in the said housing against the resi tance of said spring, and an adjusting washer r annular ringtlti provided with ports 68 which also serve as socketsfor a spanner or analogous adjustin wrench, said ring being externally threade and the housing interiorly threaded to receive said ring. The resiliently mounted spotting member or piston 68 is formed with a radially enlarged convex disk-like head and the trunnion b with a concave or dished 'end,thus-providing in ef-- .fect male and female members whlch are adapted to register at the proper point along the line of travel of the trays. A threaded nipple 68is inserted. in the housing 68, for attachment thereto of one of the hose connections 32 of one of the valves 32. Suitable tubing 70, which may if desired be flexible, is disposed in the tray B and connects with the molds A through the conduits 60 and also with the bore through the trunnion b of said tray, valves 7 0' being provided at roper points in said tubing so that the application of super and/or sub-atmosphere to the molds Amay be selectively controlled' A cooperating tray-registering device 71 is mounted to register with the trunnion b on the opposite side of the tray relatively to .the device 68 and which serves to brace and hold the tray in position or prevent lateral play during application of super and/or sub-atmosphere through the device 68, said device 71 being adjustably threaded in a supporting bracket 71*, which may be bolted or otherwise secured to the wall of the drier or adjacent ter to the molds A, a nipple 71 being attached to said device, which is longitudinally bored and registers with the bore of the trunnion b, in a manner substantially similar to the device 68, said nipple being adapted for a hose connection leading to one of the valves 32.,

It will be obvious that instead of providing the trays with projecting trunnions, similar projections could be provided in the conveyor to serve the same purpose.

level-ting now to Fig, l, the lower laterally sliding bar 21 has suitably secured thereto a bracket 72, which serves to support a slip-applying nozzle member generally indicated at 73, the nozzle illustrated in'section in Figs. 1 and 24 being a preferred construction adapted for use with the charger 42 and comprises an externally threaded valve casing 7 3, formed with a valve chamber 7 3 the inlet port of which is preferably normally closed by a ball and spring valve, to prevent reverse flow of slip in some instances as in the syphoning system hereinafter described and also to prevent drip in its present application, said casing 73 being threaded into an interiorly and exteriorly threaded adjusting shell or casing 73, the threads of both the inner and outer casing preferably being of the same pitch, the outer casing in turn being adjustably threaded into a mold-contacting member 73, preferably so shaped on its lower mold-contacting portion as to approximately fit in or on the surface of the mold A, or'frame of the latter, adjacent the filling opening of the mold a. The casings 73, 73 and member 73 are preferably formed with registering openings, the lower opening forming an outer nozzle which surrounds a charging nozzle 73 and which is adjustably threaded into the opening of the inner casing 7 3, to provide an outlet for the chamber 73", and the inlet 73 to said chamber may have connected thereto the outlet conduit or hose 47 from the charger 42. An excessmaterial-receiving chamber, as at 73, is formed between the casings 73 and 73 the said chamber communicating through a bore 73 and tube 7 3 with a valve 74, see Fig. 1, the inlet to which is referably normally closed by a ball and spring valve 74:" and the outlet thereof provided with a ni ple 7 4" for attachment of the conduit memb 49, for a purpose which will hereinafter be apparent. The nozzle 73 is floatingly and adjustably supported as a unit'from an adjustable branch bracket 72?, adjustable horizontally as by coupling or sleeve 7 2 and vertically by screw 72, a supporting bolt 72 having retaining and limiting nuts 72 and 72 being passed throu h the one extremit of the branch bracket 2 and formed wit an enlarged head mounted in an annular recess in the upper extremity of the casing 7 3 and retained in place by a retaining ring 7 2 To prevent angular movement of the valve assembly 73, a pin 72 is passed through the branch bracket 72' and projects a suitable distance into a bore in the casing 7 3 It will be seen that when an impulse is given the charger plunger, slip or clay in the desired plastic state will be forced up through the er or hose conduit 47, into the valve chamber 7 3 and from the latter through the inner nozzle 7 3 into the mold a. By adjusting the casing 73 in the shell 73, the inner nozzle may be lowered or elevated without affecting the position of the surrounding or guide nozzle, and by adjusting the shell 73 on the casing 73 and in the member 73, the outer guide nozzle may be lowered or elevated without affecting the position of the inner nozzle, and by adjusting the casings 73 and 73 as a unit in the member 73*, both or said nozzles may be adjusted without changing their relative positions. These adjustments are of particutension or branch bracket 75? adjustably secured to bracket 72, a hose being illustrated as leading thereto for introduction of a suit-- able treating fluid or gaseous medium such as super and/or sub-atmosphere. In the poi sition shown in Fig. l this member may serve to clean and dry the molds prior to charging, as by subjecting said molds to a blast of air. However, this member 75 may be mounted interchangeably relatively to nozzle 73, or the latter mounted at a suitable point along the bracket 75, Which is shown threaded at one extremity to permit application of extensions, so that the molds may be char ed through said nozzle prior to being sub ected to treatment by said member, as where it is desired to permit the handle, figure or other appendage to set prior to application or joining to the ware and then moisten the joining surface as commonly practiced, or this member 75 may be used as described in connection with Fig. 18 for extracting the core of the spout or other appendage after the latterhas set to the desired state and prior to uniting with the article of ware.

Additional tray-spotting and stabilizing members 76 and 7 7, which may be constructed substantially similar to the member 58 heretofore described, are shown as adjustably supported from the bracket 72, these spotting and stabilizing members functioning to spot and maintain in stable dondition the trays B during the operations of charging the. molds and subsequent disposing of the ware in position on said molds.

Fig. 1 illustrates a form of apparatus that may be used in transferring the ware from the handle or figure-applying molds A on the trays B in the treating chamber 5 to the forming molds indicated at C, each cup or article of ware with the handle applied thereto being disposed in brim or edge abutting relation to a formed cup in the trays 8 of the lower drier, or in other words the ware is boxed. These. forming molds C are the molds in which the Ware is jiggered or cast and may be replaced by forms or other ware-carrying structures if desired. The supplemental sliding frame structure 18 and cooperating parts are substantially similar to the corresponding structure illustrated in Fig. 1 and like reference numerals are applied thereto. The cams for imparting the desired vertical movement to the frame 18 and horizontal movement to the slide bars 21 and 25 are designated by the reference numerals 78 and 79 and are preferably adjustably mounted as in Figs. 4 or l and 4 on a shaft 80, see Fig. 2, and said shaft 80 is preferably connected to the motion plate shaft 12 through the medium of suitable sprockets or pulleys and a flexible chain or analogous positive. connecting member as at 81 and driven in synchronism therewith.

It is preferred to elevate the molds from the trays and definitely center or spot same when an operation is to be performed thereon, as when being transferred from the supplemental driving or treating chamber 5* to the lower drier, and with this end in view a chuck member 82, preferably shaped so that the bottom or under portion of the mold will center itself thereon when the chuck rises and engages the mold, is shown as adjustably secured by screws 82 on a supporting bar or cross head 83, slidably mounted at opposite sides of the machine in dovetail grooves formed in brackets 8 1, shown dotted in side elevation in Fig. 1 and depressible against the tension of springs 85, which are mounted in the recesses provided by said grooves where the latter terminate at the lower extremities of said brackets. Levers 86 are pivotally connected at one' extremity through the medium of links 86 to the cross head 83 and at their opposite extremities said levers are pivotally mounted through the medium of the structure shown in Figs. 3 and 3 as at 8b on screw brackets 87, which in turn are adjustably secured on a stationary part of the frame, as at 87*. Cams 88 are adjustably secured asin Figs. 4 or 4 and 4* on the shaft 12, said cams being adapted to contact with rollers 89, rotatably mounted on said levers 86 and depress the cross head 83, carrying the mold elevating and spotting chucks, against the tension of springs 85. The pivotal point 86 of lever 86 being adjustable while in operation and while the driving connection subsists thereby provides for varying the throw of said levers 86 while in operation and consequently the reciprocation imparted to the chucks 82.

A further tray spotting and stabilizing member 90, which may be of substantially the same construction as the analogous member 58 heretofore described, is mounted on the lower horizontal sliding bar 21 in Fig.

1" through the medium of adjustable brackets 90 90 to accurately position and hold the trays steady during removal of the ware from the molds carried by said trays.

ln the foregoing and subsequent description, it will be noted that parts ars ofttimes referred to in the plural where only one of said parts shows in the drawings, this being due to the fact that the drawings only illustrate in many instances a single unit where it is contemplated in actual practice to embody a multiple of units.

As heretofore specified, in the form of the invention so far described, it is preferred to apply handles to the ware in the molds of each alternate tray and then box the handled ware on the ware in the forming molds-G, and in Fig. 1" "the ware chuck or grip head is shown in full line position depositing a cup with the handle applied thereto on top of a cup in the forming molds G carried by the trays of the lower drier, the dotted line position of said chuck 31 and stem 30 being shown simply to illustrate the alternate position thereof. In boxing the ware, it is pre- 3 i ferred to elevate the molds C from the trays of the lower drier, and one method of accomplishing' this result is to adjustably secure chuck spindles 91' as by nuts 9-1 on a cross head 92 and which may be compared with the cross head 83 above described and is preferably slidably mounted in a similar manner at opposite extremities in the grooved portion of uprights or brackets 93, see Fig. 2. Levers 94 are adjustably pivoted or fulcrumed at 94 as in Figs. 3 and 3 to screw brackets 95, adjustably secured to a stationary part of the frame of the apparatus as by nuts 95, and at their opposite extremities said levers are pivoted to the upper ends of connecting links or rods 96, the lower ends of said links or rods extending down and being pivotally secured to the opposite extremities of the cross head 92 as at 96, see Fig. 2. To actuate the levers 94, cams 97 are adjustably secured as in F igs..4 or 4 and 4 on the shaft 12, said cams being adapted to contact with rollers 97 rotatably mounted on said levers. As the throw of the and while the'driving connection subsists,

the reciprocation of chucks 91 may be adjusted without stopping the machine.

In boxing ware it is customary to moisten the brims or edges of the cups or other articles prior to placing same in abutting relation, and if it should prove desirable to adopt this procedure in the present method, the moistening device shown in transverse sec-' tion in Fig. "1 may be used, said device preferably comprising a suitable container 98, adjustabl secured to the wall of the chamber 5 as byh rackets 98 and securing bolts 98 extending through enlarged openings, the

container having therein suitable liquid-ab-- sorbing material such as sponge or a wick adapted to be fed through a tube 98 leading to a source of supply and which may be regulated by means of one of the valves 32 or a charging and measuring device such as 42 or otherwise, the sponge or wick projecting slightly above the top of the container 98 into the path of travel of the ware carried by the chuck 31. The grip head or chuck used in transferring the ware in Fig. 1 is preferably of the bottom grip type, an example of which is illustrated in Fig. 9. For the purposes of illustration, the apparatus is shown in Fig. 2 as being primarily driven fromthe cam shaft 34 through gear 99 and pinion 99*, the latter being secured on the drive shaft of a motor or other power member such as a line shaft, not shown, the

' shafts 34 and 80 being connected as by a sprocket chain or other suitable flexible member 100. As will be obvious, the shafts 34 and 80 may be of such length as will accommodate the number of units employed.

To facilitate an understandin of the form of the invention illustrated in were to the upperchamber 5.

igs. 1 to 2,

inclusive, a brief description of one c cle of operations that may be carried out y the shown in slack condition, and at this point the .Geneva drive is timed so that the trays will be temporarily halted, each alternate tray being halted when it reaches a point above the sprocket shaft. However, the trays may be halted on either side of said sprockets or at any other suitable point, depending upon the timing of the Geneva drive. \Vhen the tray halts, the member 58 descends and accurately spots the tray, the grip head or. chuck following and grips the ware and transfers it to the molds A on the trays B of the upper supplemental drier 5, the conveyor 6" of the latter drier or treating chamber being illustrated as moving in the direction of the arrows, the Geneva drive being timed to also halt the trays B at the proper position in said chamber. Prior to the transfer operation just specified, the molds A on the trays B have the part a thereof charged with slip or clay in the desired plastic or fluid state, this operation preferably ensuing a step in advance of the point of-transfer of the However, this may be regulated in accordance with the method adopted and the time required to permit the slip or plastic handle or other figure to set or reach that state which is found most suitable for attachment to the ware.

The operation of the charger 42 and nozzle 73 may be varied in accordance with the condition of the plastic clay or slip and character of the handle or figure to be applied to the ware. However, as an example, the tube or conduit 46 may connect with a source of supply such as the tank T, Fig. 19, and the tube or conduit 47 with the inlet 73 of the nozzle 73. If itshould be found desirable to remove excess applied slip or clay cess material. 'As the tray B carrying the molds A is halted adjacent the nozzle 73, the latter moves over and lowers into position relatively to the mold a, the member 76 accurately spotting the tray and holding same steady. The cam 53 is timed on shaft 34 so as to give an impulse to the piston 50 of the charger 42 when the valve is in position on the mold a and force a charge of clay or slip into the chamber 7 3 and through the nozzle 73, the size of the charge depending upon'the size of the handle or figure to be applied to the ware, the excess material if any being sucked 

